Global research trends and thematic evolution in robot-assisted radical nephrectomy: a bibliometric and visualisation...

Robot-assisted radical nephrectomy (RARN) has emerged as an important minimally invasive option for the surgical treatment of renal malignancies, particularly in technically demanding cases. However, the overall research landscape, major contributors, and thematic evolution of this field remain insufficiently characterised. This study was designed to characterise the global development of RARN, clarify its intellectual framework, and identify the main research hotspots. A bibliometric and visualisation analysis was performed using data retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection. Publications indexed between 1 January 2000 and 31 December 2025 were identified through a structured search strategy focused on RARN, whereas studies on partial nephrectomy, nephroureterectomy, donor nephrectomy, and simple nephrectomy were excluded. CiteSpace, VOSviewer, Bibliometrix, and Scimago Graphica were used to assess publication trends, contributions by countries and institutions, author and journal collaborations, co-cited references, keyword co-occurrence patterns, and thematic changes. A total of 162 publications met the inclusion criteria, including 130 original articles and 32 review articles. Annual publication output remained low before 2010, then increased gradually, followed by a marked rise after 2023, reaching its highest level in 2025. The United States ranked first in publication output, citation impact, and international collaboration. China showed the most pronounced recent growth, while Italy continued to show substantial academic influence. The Chinese People's Liberation Army General Hospital was the most productive institution, and overall research output remained concentrated in a relatively small group of high-volume academic centres. Journal analysis indicated that the field was anchored mainly in established urology journals, particularly Journal of Endourology, Journal of Urology, European Urology, Urology, and BJU International. Keyword, clustering, and co-citation analyses indicated that the field progressed from an early phase focused on feasibility assessment and comparison with laparoscopy to a more differentiated stage centred on inferior vena cava tumour thrombus, complex renal masses, perioperative outcomes, and the selective application of robotic technology in challenging renal surgery. Research on RARN has expanded steadily over the past two decades, with a more marked increase in activity in recent years. However, academic influence remains largely concentrated among a relatively small number of leading countries, institutions, authors, and journals. This study provides a structured overview of the global development, major hotspots, and thematic evolution of RARN, and may offer a useful foundation for future clinical research and academic collaboration.